The Keys of the Kingdom (1944)

82% of users liked it
(634 ratings)

Based on the novel by A.J. Cronin, The Keys of the Kingdom was the first big-budget effort of movie-newcomer Gregory Peck. This is the 137-minute chronicle of a Scottish priest (Peck), who is assigned a mission in China. Never very focused in his life or work, the priest finds plenty to keep his… More Based on the novel by A.J. Cronin, The Keys of the Kingdom was the first big-budget effort of movie-newcomer Gregory Peck. This is the 137-minute chronicle of a Scottish priest (Peck), who is assigned a mission in China. Never very focused in his life or work, the priest finds plenty to keep his mind occupied in his new post; when he isn't coping with the starvation and poverty plaguing his flock, he must contend with China's bloody civil war. Nonetheless, he perseveres, and finds it difficult as an elderly man to retire. He returns to Scotland, where he finds a new purpose in life; that of ministering to youngsters who, like him, have trouble determining their place in the world. Keys of the Kingdom was one of the last 20th-Century-Fox films produced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz before his career-shift to directing; Rose Stradner, Mankiewicz' then-wife, has an important role in the film. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: John M. Stahl
Genres: Drama, Faith & Spirituality, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 15, 1944 Wide
On DVD: Jul 11, 2006

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
With the help of an Oscar nomination, Gregory Peck becamea major star after appearing in Fox's religious bio-epic, in which he plays the heroic Scottish priest, Father Francis Chisholm.
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
This disc showcases the high quality that Fox's 'Studio Classics' series is known for and does not disappoint.
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
... a beautiful and uplifting story with uniformly strong performances from its brilliant cast.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
Peck's star-making turn… earned him a Best Actor nod and established his screen persona as a ruggedly decent, dignified underdog.

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Young Scottish priest Peck goes overseas to convert the people of China to Catholicism ... disagreeing with Church authority types about the so-called heathen status of those "inscrutables": he thinks of them as human beings! This bit of Hollywood liberal radicalism from… More
Young Scottish priest Peck goes overseas to convert the people of China to Catholicism ... disagreeing with Church authority types about the so-called heathen status of those "inscrutables": he thinks of them as human beings! This bit of Hollywood liberal radicalism from the 40's got Peck his first Oscar for his portrayal of quiet dignified humility in the face of a world that doesn't care. Gwenn, Mitchell and Price do typically well in the supporting roles. A nice afternoon show.
AJ V

This movie has a good story, but it is too long, and we don't get to see Vincent Price enough, which is one of the reasons I wanted to see the movie. It could have been better if the story was shorter and a little more exciting.
jay n

Nice story of a man of great faith and his journey in the face of much opposition on the path that he feels is the right one even as others try and fight him. Gregory Peck, whose innate dignity was one of his strongest assets, is perfect in the lead and he is surrounded by a wonderful… More
Nice story of a man of great faith and his journey in the face of much opposition on the path that he feels is the right one even as others try and fight him. Gregory Peck, whose innate dignity was one of his strongest assets, is perfect in the lead and he is surrounded by a wonderful cast, the kind that was only available during the studio system days.

Cast

            Gregory Peck as Father Francis Chisholm

            Thomas Mitchell as Dr. Willie Tullock

            Vincent Price as Rev. Angus Mealy

            Roddy McDowall as Francis Chisholm (younger)

            Rosa Stradner as Mother Maria Veronica

            Edmund Gwenn as Rev. Hamish MacNabb

            Cedric Hardwicke as Monsignor Sleeth

            Peggy Ann Garner as Nora as a Child

            Jane Ball as Nora

            James Gleason as Dr. Wilbur Fiske

            Anne Revere as Agnes Fiske

            Ruth Nelson as Lisbeth Chisholm

            Benson Fong as Joseph

            Leonard Strong as Mr. Chia

            Arthur Shields as Father Tarrant

            Edith Barrett as Aunt Polly

            Sara Allgood as Sister Martha

            Richard Loo as Lieutenant Shon

            Ruth Ford as Sister Clotilde

            Kevin O'Shea as Father Craig

            H.T. Tsiang as Hosannah Wong

            Si-Lan Chen as Philomena Wang

            Dennis Hoey as Alex Chisholm

            Ethel Griffies as Mrs. Glennie

            Terry Kilburn as Malcolm Glennie

            Lumsden Hare as Daniel Glennie

            J. Anthony Hughes as Ned Bannon

            Abner Biberman as Bandit Captain

            George Nokes as Andrew

            Philip Ahn as Mr. Pao

            Ruth Clifford as Sister Mercy Mary

            Joseph Kim
            
            James B. Leong as Taoist Priest

            Clarence Lung as She Wing Soo Hoo Orderly

            Moy Ming as Chinese Physician

            Hayward Soo Hoo as Chia-Yu

            W. Beal Wong as Chinese Captain

            Oie Chan as Grandmother

            Richard Wang as Chinese Servant
See full cast